EPI Sindh: A Legacy
of Protection
The Expanded Programme on Immunization Sindh (EPI Sindh) is the provincial health initiative dedicated to vaccinating children and pregnant women against deadly, vaccine-preventable diseases. It operates under the Department of Health, Government of Sindh.
Established in alignment with the World Health Organization's global EPI framework, the programme has grown from a limited urban outreach into a province-wide system spanning all 27 districts of Sindh, reaching over 7 million children every year.
All vaccines provided under the programme are completely free of charge, ensuring that no child is denied life-saving protection due to financial or geographic barriers.
History & Background
From six vaccines to twelve, from urban centres to every corner of Sindh: decades of expanding protection.
WHO Launches Global EPI
The World Health Organization establishes the Expanded Programme on Immunization as a global initiative to protect children from six deadly, preventable diseases.
Pakistan Joins EPI
Pakistan formally joins the WHO EPI framework, introducing the first six vaccines: BCG, DTP, Polio, and Measles, including rollout across Sindh province.
Hepatitis B & Hib Added
Hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccines incorporated, protecting newborns from liver disease and bacterial meningitis from birth.
Full Provincial Coverage
EPI Sindh achieves coverage across all 27 districts, establishing fixed vaccination centres and dedicated outreach teams in rural and underserved communities.
Pneumococcal (PCV) Introduced
With GAVI support, the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine is added to protect children against pneumonia and meningitis, leading causes of infant mortality in Sindh.
Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV)
IPV introduced alongside ongoing OPV campaigns, strengthening the polio eradication effort with a two-pronged vaccination strategy across all districts.
Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV)
Sindh becomes one of the first provinces globally to introduce TCV, tackling the high burden of typhoid fever in children across the province.
Rotavirus & HPV Vaccines
Rotavirus vaccine combats childhood diarrhoea; HPV vaccine launched for adolescent girls, completing a schedule of 12 vaccines protecting against the most critical childhood diseases.
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
To ensure universal immunization coverage for every child and pregnant woman in Sindh, delivering life-saving vaccines against 12 preventable diseases, completely free of charge, reaching even the most remote and vulnerable communities across all 27 districts.
Our Vision
A Sindh where no child suffers from a vaccine-preventable disease. We envision 100% immunization coverage built on community trust, evidence-based practice, and sustained global partnerships, securing healthier futures for every generation.
Core Objectives & Targets
Aligned with international standards and driven by every child's right to health.
Achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
Aligned with WHO and international standards to guarantee immunization access for every child and pregnant woman in Sindh, regardless of location or socioeconomic status.
Prevent Childhood Mortality from Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Combat tuberculosis, polio, measles, tetanus, hepatitis B, typhoid, diarrhoea, and more, protecting Sindh's youngest and most vulnerable from deadly, preventable illnesses.
Boost Penta-1 Uptake & Full Immunization Rates
Increase coverage in lagging and vulnerable areas, ensuring all children complete the full vaccination schedule and no child is left behind due to distance or access barriers.
Sustain Polio Eradication Campaigns
Ongoing booster campaigns and supplementary immunization activities across all 27 districts to eliminate polio and maintain zero-transmission status for future generations.
Strengthen Cold Chain & Last-Mile Distribution
Maintain robust cold chain infrastructure to ensure vaccine potency from national stores to the last-mile health worker in the most remote communities across Sindh.
Build Community Awareness & Trust
Drive health education and community engagement to counter vaccine hesitancy, empower parents with knowledge, and build sustained trust in the immunization programme.